NW Haz Waste Conference - June 2, 2003 Implementing the Mercury Chemical Action Plan.

NW Haz Waste Conference - June 2, 2003

Implementing the Mercury Chemical

Action Plan


Presentation Overview Background and Context MCAP Development Process Summary of Findings of MCAP MCAP Implementation Legislation Other Activities


Background and Context


Some Facts about Mercury

What mercury is:

Naturally occurring element (Hg) A “persistent, bioaccumulative toxin”

(PBT) Four-fold increase of mercury entering

environment due to consumer, medical/dental, industrial, uses and coal/diesel fuel combustion

Majority of mercury pollution globally and locally is from human-caused sources – NOT natural sources


Some Facts about Mercury

Health impacts of mercury

A potent neurotoxicant that can damage liver, CNS, kidneys, even at low levels

Methyl-mercury crosses the “blood-brain barrier” in humans

CDC estimates 10% of US women of child-bearing age is exposed to mercury at levels where harm could occur

NAS Study estimates that 60,000 US infants/year face increased risk of brain damage because of in-utero exposure to mercury


DOH Fish Consumption Advisoryfor canned tuna due to mercury

FISH IS GOOD FOOD, but… Limit the amount of canned tuna you eat, based upon your

bodyweight. Guidelines are: Women of childbearing age should limit the amount of

canned tuna they eat to about one can per week (six ounces). A woman who weighs less than 135 pounds should eat less than one can of tuna per week.

Children under six should eat less than one half a can of tuna (three ounces) per week. Specific weekly limits for children under six range from one ounce for a child who weighs about 20 pounds, to three ounces for a child who weighs about 60 pounds.

Too much mercury can have health impacts on everyone, but women of childbearing age and children under six are especially at risk... “


The Mercury Cycle


MCAP Development Process


2002 Legislative Direction

“…develop a planned strategy for the reduction of mercury from the environment.”

Involve advisory committee in plan development with balanced representation

Issue draft plan for 60 day public comment

Finalize plan by end of 2002


Mercury Advisory Committee

Local Government King County City of Tacoma Southwest Clean Air Agency

Public Health Whatcom County Health Dept. Yakima County Health District Inst. Of Neurotoxicology

Community Groups Physicians for Social

Responsibility WashPIRG

Environmental Groups People for Puget Sound WA Toxics Coalition WA Wilderness & Recreation

Coalition

Agriculture General Agriculture Pacific Seafood Processors

Assoc. Business

WA State Dental Assoc. WA State Hospital Assoc. Echo Bay Mineral Co. Eco-Lights Assoc. of WA Businesses Transalta Centralia WA Funeral Directors Assoc. Small Businesses Alliance of Automobile Manuf.


Process: 2002 - Completed Jan – Mar Draft Background Document March Mercury Advisory Comm created April 1st Mercury Advisory Comm mtg.

Written comment by Adv. Comm. May Gaps in knowledge identified

Preliminary Draft MCAP June 2nd Mercury Advisory Comm mtg July-Aug Comment by Adv. Comm. &

Ecology & Health Senior Mgmt MCAP Draft for Public

Comment


Process: 2002 - Completed/Current

Sept - Oct 60 day [Sept 10 to Nov 8] public comment period

Public meetings in Tacoma and Moses Lake

November 3rd Mercury Advisory Comm mtg.

February 03 Final MCAP released

June 03 Response to Comments on the draft MCAP to be completed


Summary and Findings of MCAP


Goals of the Mercury Chemical Action

Plan Virtual elimination (continual reductions)

of the use and release of anthropogenic (man-made) mercury in Washington State

Minimize human exposure to mercury though better mercury collection, disposal, and management options


Elements of the Mercury Chemical Action

Plan Overview of what we know about human-

caused sources of mercury in Washington List possible mercury reduction options

with recommendations Identify research needs Reduction actions will be staggered based

on Resources Knowledge Availability of non-mercury alternatives


Estimated Hg in Products Disposed of in WA Annually

Mercury Products Estimated lbs. of Hg disposed annually

Fluorescent Lamps 437 - 505

Thermostats 412

Amalgam from Dental Offices

>404

Auto Light Switches 253

Button Cell Batteries 88

Dental Amalgam in Feces & Urine

61

Household Fever Thermometers

11 - 300

Total 1,666 – 2,023


Estimated Annual Release from Point and Area Sources of Hg in

WASource Est. Annual

Release (lbs.)Receiving medium

Distillate Fuel #2 733 Air

Coal-fired power plants 436 Air

Manufacturing 337 Air, Land, Water

POTWs 331 Land

Oil Refineries 125 Air, land, Water

Medical Waste Autoclaves

106 Air, Land

Crematoria 57 Air

Sewage Sludge Incinerators

32 Air

Residual Fuel 29 Air

Municipal Waste Incinerators

18 Air

Gold Mining 0-777 Air, Land, Water

TOTAL 2,180 – 2,957


Mercury Chemical Action Plan Conclusions

Significant amount of mercury released into WA’s environment from disposal of common consumer products (i.e. fluorescent light tubes, thermometers, thermostats).

Many WA residents are not aware of products that contain mercury, and are likely to dispose of certain mercury containing products with their garbage.

There is a need to educate WA residents about mercury in products and a need to provide clear disposal/recycling/and mercury management options

Mercury pollution is a global environmental problem (i.e. many fish consumption advisories, including some here in WA)


Mercury Chemical Action Plan Conclusions

Three types of pollution sources and solutions: Local - Fluorescent lights, thermometers, thermostats

Solution – Public awareness and proper disposal options needed Local – Dental Amalgam Wastes, Medical Wastes

Solution – Use affordable and available technologies (Amalgam separators) in dental offices, and proper mercury separation practices in medical waste disposal

National – Coal combustion Solution – EPA addressing nationally

National – Need for a “national mercury repository” Solution – Work with ECOS on this issue

International – Mining of mercury and other metals Solution – Research/monitoring on amounts of mercury released

from mining activities International – Mercury in Certain Fish Species

Solution – Local, National, and Global mercury reduction efforts


MCAP Implementation


Key Recommendations in MCAP

for Implementation in 03-05 Develop MOU with WSDA to encourage installation of

amalgam separators and development of BMPs. Use existing rules after two year timeline.

Adopt Universal Waste Rule for largest feasible number of mercury-added products

Work with medical waste facilities and WSHA on mercury management and disposal practices.

Work with GA on ensuring state agency compliance with Universal Waste Rule

Work with Legislature and stakeholders on eliminating non-essential uses of mercury and improvements on recycling remaining mercury


Mercury Chemical Action Plan Implementation 2003-

2005 Work with local governments and businesses to

promote, encourage, and assist in development of: Expand existing fluorescent light recycling

efforts Governor’s Directive to state agencies to recycle

lamps Seattle Mariners, Puget Sound Energy, Unico

Properties voluntary lamp recycling efforts

Household mercury fever thermometer collection/recycling programs

> 50,000 collected by local government collection efforts in February 2003

Memorandum with state dental association to phase in the installation and use of amalgam separators in state dental offices by 2005

Mercury Reduction and Education Act passed


Recent Hg Collection Events

February 2003 – King, Kitsap, Thurston, City of Tacoma collected over 50,000 thermometers

April-May 2003 – Ecology participated in media events, dedications, or local expos in Vancouver, Spokane, Seattle & Bellingham promoting fluorescent lamp recycling – collected over 700 lamps (and 10 stadium lights from Safeco Field)


Legislation


2003 SessionMercury Related

Legislation House Bill 1002 – Hg Reduction & Education Act

House vote on Feb 26: 97 Y – 0 N Senate Vote on April 17: 47 Y – 1 N House Vote on April 22: 97 Y – 0 N Signed into Law by Gov. Locke on May 14

Requires “Contains Hg” label on fluorescent lamps effective Jan ‘04

Bans sale of Hg containing novelty products, thermometers, manometers, thermostats, vehicle light switch Jan ’06

Bans use of bulk elemental Hg and Hg compounds in K-12 schools by Jan ‘06

Directs Ecology and Health to educate schools, local governments, businesses & public on proper disposal methods for Hg-added products

So this “bill” is now a “LAW”


Other Activities


Ongoing Activities Related to Mercury and the MCAP

Fish tissue and sediments sampled in 20 freshwater lakes around state

Investigate mercury emissions in landfill gas at several landfills

Participated with WSHA in series of “Mercury Reduction in Hospitals” seminars

“Mercury awareness” telephone survey Working with ECOS/ASTSWMO “Quicksilver

Caucus” to develop proposals for long-term mercury management infrastructure


Additional Information Ecology’s PBT/Mercury Web Page:

www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/eap/pbt/pbtfaq.htmlOr

www.mercurymess.org

Or contact

Mike Gallagher P: 360-407-6868

E:[email protected]

Cheri PeeleP: 360-407-7203

E:[email protected]

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NW Haz Waste Conference - June 2, 2003 Implementing the Mercury Chemical Action Plan.

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